Shortly after her husband died from cancer, an Orange County woman has filed a lawsuit against his former employer claiming the company knew for decades that their products contained toxic chemicals that could cause their employees to develop a deadly cancer.

Gloria Jacobs, individually and as representative of the Estate of Daniel Jacobs, deceased, filed suit against The BF Goodrich Co., Bayer Corp. doing business as Indiana Bayer Corp., Honeywell International Inc. formerly known as Allied Signal Inc., and Lanxess Corp. on June 30 in Orange County District Court. The defendants removed the case to the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division on Aug. 19.

According to the allegations, Daniel Jacobs was exposed to toxic and carcinogenic benzene and benzene-containing products during his employment with BF Goodrich/Polysar in Orange County. He developed acute myelogenous leukemia and died on April 29.

The defendants are accused of gross negligence for exposing Daniel Jacobs to benzene, failing to timely and adequately warn workers of the dangers of benzene and benzene containing products, failing to take necessary engineering, safety, industrial hygiene and other precautions and failing to provide training to ensure that the Jacobs was not exposed to toxic or carcinogenic chemicals.

The plaintiff is seeking punitive and exemplary damages, interest and court costs.

Jacobs is represented by Darren L. Brown of Provost & Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont.